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Allegri: “Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d'Or”

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Allegri: “Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d'Or”
Allegri: “Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d'Or”
Allegri: “Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d'Or”

Read what Massimiliano Allegri, Miralem Pjanic and Rodrigo Bentancur had to say to the media at Tuesday's 'Here To Create' event run by adidas in Milan.

MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI

Ballon d'Or for Ronaldo“Cristiano deserves to win the Ballon d'Or for everything he's done – the goals he's scored, the trophies he's won and what he's doing this season too. He's world-class. He's taken us to another level because he's brought international experience and he's raised everyone's belief.”

Two roads ahead“We have two roads to take. One is in Serie A, which is very long and where we occasionally veer off course during games. At Empoli we started off well but then we seemed to take a wrong turn for Florence... Fortunately, we got ourselves back on track and managed to win it. “We have to work hard in Italy because there are some great teams like Napoli and Inter. The Nerazzurri have improved loads and they're a tough opponent. Napoli are too because [Carlo] Ancelotti has picked up where [Maurizio] Sarri left off.“The other road is in the Champions League, where we find ourselves up against teams who leave more space and where your focus is higher because it's a shorter competition. It won't be easy to win it because there are some really strong contenders like Barcelona. We'll need to be good and lucky.”

MIRALEM PJANIC

Targets“We're doing really well at the moment but we can't let up. We have to keep demanding more of ourselves because Serie A is very competitive. We mustn't budge an inch. It's difficult to win the league and it requires big sacrifices.“Winning the Champions League is one of our targets and I think we're good enough to try and lift the trophy.”

CR7 top-class“Ronaldo has given us even more belief that we can win every competition we're in. He's absolute top-class and he's settled in really well. It's a joy to play with him.”

RODRIGO BENTANCUR

Playing with Ronaldo“Playing in the same team as Ronaldo is an amazing opportunity to have. Three or four years ago I was watching him on TV; now I've played against him at the World Cup and he's my team-mate.”

Allegri's faith“I've enjoyed more playing time since Sami [Khedira] and Emre [Can] got injured. The boss is picking me and I'm trying to seize every opportunity I get. “I like playing in a more advanced midfield role because it gives me the chance to get forward and go for goal. “Last season was a settling-in period for me and it was very useful. Now I want to repay the coach for the faith he's shown in me.”

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